Sumlin, who has spent the last five years on Bob Stoops' staff at Oklahoma, replaces Art Briles, who resigned Nov. 28 to take the Baylor job.

A news conference is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. today at the Athletics/Alumni Center.

Maggard would not comment on the hire, preferring to wait until the news conference. Sumlin, 43, could not be reached for comment.

Maggard started with a field that included Sumlin, former Cougars and NFL coach Jack Pardee, Notre Dame offensive coordinator Michael Haywood, Tulsa offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and current interim coach Chris Thurmond. Sumlin and Pardee were the finalists.

Pardee had no problem with Sumlin's selection.

"I've been saying all along that whichever way it went, that was fine with me," said Pardee, 71. "For myself, I'm happy with where I am and what I'm doing in my life. But just a chance to get those guys (his projected staff) together and get it done again would have been nice.

"But when I found out (Thursday) afternoon (that Sumlin was hired), I was OK with it. I think (the program) is going to be fine."

The UH players, who are preparing for their Dec. 28 appearance against TCU in the Texas Bowl, are relieved to have the search finally come to an end.

"It's good that we can now look ahead rather than behind," said senior offensive lineman SirVincent Rogers, who is recovering from knee surgery. "I think (Sumlin) is coming into a good situation here.

"We have a lot of upperclassmen coming back next year, so it didn't matter who they were bringing in, that coach was going to inherit a good team."

Freshman wide receiver and punt returner Teric Williams was surprised it took so long but is happy with the result.

"It took a while, but I think it's going to work out for the best," Williams said. "We're only going to keep going up, so I'm looking forward to the change."

Sumlin has worked at Washington State, Wyoming, Minnesota, Purdue, Texas A&M and Oklahoma, where he served as special teams coordinator and tight ends coach before being promoted to co-offensive coordinator, passing game coordinator and receivers coach in 2006.

"We have a new guy coming in, and the vibe on the team is that everyone has a brand new, clean slate," wide receiver and quarterback L.J. Castile said. "Everybody will get a chance to show what they can do.

"It really didn't matter which (candidate) they picked. We still have to play football, whoever the coach is."